Altinium x Swapin: Crypto Payments Take Flight in Private Aviation
With 100 years of experience, French private aviation company Altinium has redefined what it means to run a business without compromising on trust, legacy, and innovation.
In this exclusive interview, Hugo Gaden, sales director at Altinium talks about managing diverse client needs in a competitive and high-ticket industry. We cover how Altinium prioritises personalised client management at all four markets – France, Switzerland, Latvia, and Malta. And how crypto payments has enabled them to cater to an international client base looking for quick and secure payment solutions.
Behind the brand: Altinium
Q: Altinium has roots going back to 1924 with Charles Franco, great-grandfather of the company founders, a test pilot and aviation trainer. Tell us more about how his passion shaped the company’s identity today.
Hugo: The company has always been shaped around the passion for aviation, and the importance of expertise, with the goal of “making aviation better”. From charter clients to aircraft owners, our dedication and experience helped us build trust with them over the years.
Q: When clients choose Altinium, they’re not just choosing an aircraft, they’re joining a story almost 100 years in the making. How do you communicate that sense of legacy?
Hugo: When clients choose Altinium, they’re choosing people first. We genuinely care about them, and we put all our energy into finding the best solutions for their needs. With some clients, the relationship goes far beyond aviation, it becomes almost like family.
Q: Trust and transparency are recurring themes in your work. How do you translate those values into a tangible client experience?
Hugo: We see ourselves as true partners, for our clients’ business and even their family life. Trust and transparency are the foundation: they know they can rely on us anytime, and we value their seriousness in return. It’s a win-win. The more we help them grow, the more they fly, and the more satisfied they become.
Creating a market presence and differentiation
Q: Private aviation is a competitive market. What makes Altinium’s approach to aircraft management, sales, and charter services stand apart?
Hugo: What sets us apart is simple: transparency and efficiency. Most of our new clients come from referrals, which says it all. While some companies chase volume, we focus on a carefully selected portfolio, so we can dedicate ourselves fully, react fast, and always deliver the best solutions. We value people, they value us — and together, we make it happen.
Q: Safety and compliance are central to your brand. How do you balance strict adherence to EASA and FAA rules with delivering a premium, seamless client experience?
Hugo: I always tell my clients: “I would never offer you an aircraft I wouldn’t fly on myself.” That says it all. We carefully select our operators, personally test their service, and regularly visit their offices and maintenance centers. This way, we guarantee both strict compliance and a seamless, premium experience.
Q: From private jets to helicopters, Altinium covers charter, sales, acquisitions, management, maintenance, and even concierge services. Which of these areas is driving the most growth today?
Hugo: We’ve seen strong growth in concierge services, especially from long-term clients. It usually starts when their yacht broker or chauffeur company lets them down. They call us to fix it, and we deliver. From there, they trust us with entire trips or holidays, knowing they’ll get the same level of satisfaction they already experience with our jets.
Building customer success through personalised management
Q: For a first-time aircraft buyer, what key advice do you give to help them avoid costly mistakes?
Hugo: My main advice is: don’t rush. Take the time to define your real usage, and trust us to guide you on the right aircraft type and registration. Overestimating or underestimating your needs can lead to very costly mistakes. And don’t copy your friends’ jet. Every client is different, and our job is to find the one that truly fits you.
Q: How do you help owners decide between private versus commercial management of their aircraft?
Hugo: It all comes down to usage. If an owner flies frequently, on short notice, or with very specific needs, private management often makes more sense. If not, commercial management can be more efficient. We always present both options, with clear pros and cons, so the owner can make the best decision for their lifestyle and objectives.
Q: Beyond aircraft, Altinium offers concierge services such as villas, yachts, and drivers. How important is it to create a full lifestyle experience?
Hugo: Our goal is simple: make our clients’ lives effortless. Flying private is about saving time, so we extend that efficiency to everything around the flight — villas, yachts, drivers, you name it. Through trusted partners, we ensure a seamless lifestyle experience, tailored to what our clients truly value.
The strategic decision to accept crypto payments
Q: Private aviation has always been about exclusivity and innovation. How do you envision crypto payments shaping the future of high-end travel?
Hugo: Private aviation is about efficiency and time. Bank transfers can take up to 72 hours, while crypto offers instant, secure payments — which means flights can take off faster. With a new generation of clients already investing heavily in crypto, offering this option isn’t just convenient, it’s the future of seamless high-end travel.
Q: What was the key deciding factor for partnering with Swapin?
Hugo: We wanted a safe, quick, and seamless way for our clients to pay with crypto. Swapin stood out for its security and user experience. We tested it with a few clients, they loved it, so we decided to fully adopt it.
Q: Altinium’s brand ethos emphasizes transparency and trust in transactions. How do you see Swapin’s crypto payments solution as a natural extension of what the brand stands for?
Hugo: What we value with Swapin is transparency. Our clients pay exactly what they agreed for — no hidden markups, no kickbacks disguised as fees. They enter the amount, see Swapin’s transaction fee clearly, and that’s it. Simple, transparent, and aligned with our ethos.
Q: Aircraft service involves international clients and cross-border payments. How does crypto simplify and accelerate these processes compared to traditional banking systems?
Hugo: With crypto, geography no longer matters. No matter where the client is based, they can pay instantly, and we receive the funds directly in the currency we choose. Compared to traditional bank transfers — which can take days and get stuck in cross-border regulations — crypto is faster, simpler, and perfectly suited to the pace of private aviation.
Future plans for Altinium
Q: Altinium has roots in France, Switzerland, Latvia, and Malta. What has international expansion taught you about serving clients with very different aviation needs?
Hugo: International expansion taught us one key thing: flexibility. Every market has different aviation habits, but our network and expertise allow us to adapt quickly and serve clients almost anywhere in the world. Wherever they are, they know they can rely on the same Altinium standard.
Q: Technology is shaping aviation. Where do you see the biggest opportunities for innovation in private aircraft management and sales?
Hugo: AI can make private aviation more efficient, but it will never replace human relationships and trust. At the end of the day, our clients don’t just value speed — they value our ability to solve problems when they arise. We’ve seen platforms promising “instant booking” for private jets, which simply doesn’t reflect reality. Many disappointed clients came to us afterwards, realizing that no app can replace the efficiency and reliability of an experienced team.
Q: Based on your experience, what is your message and advice to companies unsure about crypto payments?
Hugo: My advice is simple: with Swapin, you don’t need to worry about crypto at all. You receive EUR, GBP, or USD directly in your account, just like a bank transfer but faster. There’s no handling of crypto, no exposure to market volatility. For the company, it’s as easy and safe as a credit card payment, only more efficient.
A word from Swapin CEO & Founder
Evald-Hannes Kree, CEO of Swapin, shared his thoughts on the partnership with Altinium.
The more forward thinking businesses are, the better they are able to serve clients and scale. Altinium proved that when you’re attentive to your clients’ needs, market expansion and growth becomes easier. And you can tell they are truly client-focused because not only do they offer personalised care and management, they’re also prioritising convenience and security for consumers in the best way possible.
This is a nod to businesses waiting for the green signal to accept crypto payments. The demand is building and companies that make quick decisions avoid losing out on crypto-friendly customers. Think of it as another payment solution that you can offer without needing to manage the manual conversions. So you can serve crypto paying clients and receive funds in euros — with zero integration.
As Hugo correctly mentioned, “With crypto, geography no longer matters. No matter where the client is based, they can pay instantly, and we receive the funds directly in the currency we choose”.
The zero-integration crypto payments link solution
Swapin’s crypto payment links solution allows businesses to settle payments in real-time, establishing trust and convenience for a luxurious experience. Businesses can now accept crypto payments from clients and receive direct EUR payouts to their bank account – no wallets, no complex integration, no volatility.
Curious about how your private aviation business can access a global client base through a crypto gateway provider?
Chat with our team or book a demo here to explore the possibilities.
